County approves LEC preservation plan

The Redwood County Board of Commissioners took another step toward renovating the law enforcement center (LEC) facility in Redwood Falls Tuesday when it approved the facility asset preservation plan proposed by Wold Architects.

The Redwood County Board of Commissioners took another step toward renovating the law enforcement center (LEC) facility in Redwood Falls Tuesday when it approved the facility asset preservation plan proposed by Wold Architects.

The approval of the plan moves the project to the schematic design phase, which allows officials from Wold Architects to take the initial rough drawings of the plan and refines them in an effort to confirm the proposed renovations and further nail down just how much the project is going to cost the county.

The plan includes a variety of improvements, including the demolition of what is known as the old sheriff’s house on the west side of the LEC, as well as office space renovation, cell block improvements and building additions of approximately 10,000 square feet.

Vicki Knobloch, county administrator, told the board the vote in favor of the plan was not approval of the project itself, but just allows the proposal to be moved ahead. She said there is certainly room for any changes the board would like to make, although she said the footprint is not subject to any changes. The plan includes adding space on the south side of the LEC into the existing parking area, with added parking constructed on the east side of the LEC.

The estimated cost to do all of the proposed work is $3.5 million, and the board also approved that recommended budget. When schematic design is completed, it would be presented to the board for approval before the detailed design phase known as design development would take place.

“This is still a work in process,” said Commission-er Priscilla Klabunde.